Wrist-watch bracelet



April 29, 1930. V c. R. TosT 1,756,769

WRI ST WATCH BRACELET Filed Nov. 2, 1928 Patented Apr. 29, 1930 I v urn-n) STATES earner orFicE CHARLES R. TOST, OF GENTERDALE, BI-IODEISLAND, ASSIGNOB TO THE HADLEY .COMIEANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ACORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND wnIsrr-wA'rc H BRACELET Application filedNovember This invention relatesto extensibleconnections for braceletsand the like and pertains more particularly to improvements in wristwatch straps having-pivotally connected elements adapted to be foldedtogether to retain the strap upon the wrist, and to be unfolded andextended to permit the strap to assover the hand of the wearer. Theprincipal object of the invention is to provide 1 simple and readilyreleasable, yet efliective and positive, means for locking saidconnected elements in overlapping relation against accidentaldisengagement. Further objects reside in the construction andarrangement 1 ofthe elements constituting the extensible connectorhereinafter described, as defined in the appended claims.

A recommended embodiment of the invention is shown for the purpose ofillustration 2c in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig 1 is a side elevation of the improved device illustrating, in fulllines, a normal released position of the parts before the connectedelements have been fully extended, and also showing, in broken lines,the position of the parts just before they are pressed together;

Fig. 2 is a similar view to enlarged scale and partly in section,illustrating the action of the connector plate as the members arepressed into overlapping juxtaposition;

. Fig 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the elements in closed,locked position; and

Fig. 4 is aplan view of the device.

The extensible connection herein illustrated is devised principally toconnect a pair of wrist watch strap sections 4 and 5 which may beconstructed of any suitably flexible material such as leather, fabric ormetal-mesh links,.but the invention may obviously be embodied inattachments for bracelets, belt straps or other articles. The strapsections 4 and5 may beconnected to the free ends of the hingedconnecting elements in any desired manner as for example by thecustomary attachment pins 6 and 7.

The connecting elements preferably comprises a top or cover plate 8having side walls 9 provided with opposed-openings 19 adapted to-receivethe pin 7 for proper adjustment 2, 1928. Serial No. 316,667.

of strap 5; an intermediate connector plate 1O hinged at one end to thecover plate as by a pintle ll-mounted in a pair of similar openings; anda bottom plate 12 pivoted as by pin 13 to the opposite end of the plate10 and having opposed ears 1% at its free end adapted to receive the pin6. Theside walls 9 have, at the forward end of the plate, opposednotches or recesses 15 extending upwardly from the bottom edges thereofand inclining forwardly toward the adjacent end of the plate to furnisha pair of shoulders or hooks 16. A pair of rounded projecting studs 17are preferably provided adjacent the free end of the bottom plate 12 tocooperate in interlocking engagement with the shoulders16 'when theparts are closed, and said studs may constitute integral orspring-pressed extensions of the pin 6 and may extend outwardly. throughthe openings in the ears 14, as'shown. It will be apparent however thatthe shoulders 16 may look over the pin 6 inside the ears 14, or thatother forms of studs, projections, bars or shoulders may be provided forthis purpose.

My improved device is accordingly so constructed that the shoulders 16have adefinite snap-acting engagement with the studs 17 as the parts arethus positively interlocked; and to this end the plates 10 and 12preferably have a definite curvilinear formation and one orboth of theplates are formed of resilient metal, so that, after the plates areswung toward each other upon the hinge 13 until the noses of shoulders16 rest upon the r tops of the studs 17, the resilient connector plate10 will be definitely flattened and consequently lengthened when thepressure is applied on the cover plate 8, thereby causing the hooks 16150 snap over and beneath the studs. 7 v

This arrangement and cooperating relationship of the respective parts ofthe connector are best illustrated in Fig. 2 which shows in full linesthe position of the elements just before the plates are snappedtogether, and indicates in broken lines the flattening and lengtheningof the plate 10 as the cam ends of shoulders 16 are forced overthe studs17. The relative dimensions and curvatures of the parts are preferablysuch that as the plates are swung toward overlapping position, therounded ends of the shoulders 16 normally abut the upper surfaces of thestuds 17 as shown in Fig. 2, before closing pressure is applied todistort the resilient plate 10 and force the hooks into interlockingengagement with the stud 17 with a definite snap-action.

When the closing pressure is reduced, the connector plate 10 tends toassume its former curvature, thereby causing the studs to en-' gageagainst the inclined shoulders of the nonyielding ends of side flanges 9and then posi tively lock the connector members in juxtaposedoverlapping relation. Vhen so engaged, it will be found that the partscan not readily be separated except by lifting the forward end of thecover plate, as by inserting the thumb nail under the lip 18 (Fig. 3),preferably pressing downward at the same time on the top of the coverplate. The interlocking engagement thus effected is especially secureagainst accidental or intentional lifting thrust applied at the rearwardend of the cover plate 8 or intermediate'the ends; obviously such anupward pull results in locking the studs 17 more securely behind the camfingers 16, for the cover plate will merely swing upwardly to a slightdegree on the studs as a pivot. Outward pulls on the straps 4 and 5 havesubstantially the-same effect.

Thus, this invention is particularly applicable to braceletconnectionsof the tri-fold type having three overlapping sections pivoted togetheras described (in contradistinction to connectors of thebi-fold type iwhich have only two overlapping sections) since outward or separatingforce applied to the outer sections, except at the extremity, tends tohook said fingers more securely under said studs as above described,whereas such a force applied to the outer section of a bi-fold connectorcould not produce this enhanced hooking efiect.

An extensible connector for wrist watches and the like constructed asabove described is simple of manufacture, easily operated, durable inuse and attractive in appearance. The unique interlocking featureensures secure retention of the overlapping parts against casualdisengagement; yet the interengaged portions may be readily separated byhand when desired. When so disengaged the connector plates may quicklybe opened to permit the wrist watch to be the hand of the wearer.

I claim:

1. An extensible connector for wrist watch bracelets and the likecomprising an upper plate adapted for attachment to a bracelet end, acurved resilient connector plate pivoted at one of its end portions tosaid upper plate intermediate its ends, and a similarly curved bottomplate pivoted at one of its end slipped over portions to the oppositeend portion of the connector plate and having its free end adapted forattachment to another bracelet end, hooks at the opposite sides of theupper plate between the forward end thereof and said connector platepivot, and cooperating pro- 3601710118 on the bottom plate tointerengage with said hooks when the'plates are pressed into overlappingjuxtaposition, the resilient connector plate being flattened andlengthened during the application of closing pressure to permit saidhooks to snap over said projections.

, 2. An extensible connector for wrist watch bracelets and the likecomprising an'u'pper plate adapted for attachment to abracket end, acurved resilient connector plate pivoted at one of its end portions tosaid upper plate intermediate its ends, and a similarly curved bottomplate pivoted at one of its end portions to the opposite end portion ofthe connector plate and having its freeend adapted for attachment toanother bracelet end, theupper plate having side flanges pre- I 3. Anextenslble connector for wristwatch bracelets and the like comprising anupper plate having depending side walls adapted for attachment toabracelet end, a curved resilient connector plate having one end pivotedin said walls intermediate the ends of the upper plate, and a similarlycurved bottom plate pivoted atone of its end portions to the oppositeend of the connector plate and having its free end portion adapted forattachment to another bracelet end, said side walls having shoulderspresenting cam surfaces inclined upwardly toward the forward free end ofthe upper plate and the bottom plate having rounded studs cooperatingwith said shoulders releasably to lock the plates in overlappingrelation, the shoulders and studs engaging with a snap-action when theplates are pressed into closed position,and said resilient connectorplate being flattened and lengthened during the application of closingpressure to permit the inclined shoulders to ride over and interlockwith the studs.

4. An extensible connector for wrist watch bracelets and the likecomprising an upper plate having depending side walls adapted forattachment to a bracelet end, a curved resilient connector plate havingone end pivoted in said walls intermediate the ends of the'upper plateand nearer its forward end, and a similarly curved bottom plate pivotedat one of its end portions to the opposite end of the connector plateand havin side ears adjacent its free end portion a apted to receive apin for attaching another bracelet end thereto, the ends of said pinprojecting outwardly beyond the respective ears to provide oppositelydirected studs, the side walls having opposed notches disposed betweenthe free forward end of the upper plate and the pivotally connected endof the connector plate, said notches presenting shoulders in cliningupwardly and forwardly of the side walls and being adapted to receivesaid studs when the plates are closed into overlapping relation, saidinclined shoulders engaging the studs with a snap-action when the platesare pressed into closed position thereby releasably to interlock theparts. Signed by me at Providence, Rhode Island,

this 31st day of October, 1928.

CHARLES R. TOST.

Cir

